St Lucians mourn Thompson’s passing

The St Lucia government today expressed “profound grief and sadness” of the country at the death of Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson following a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
“Our two nations have shared close and historic ties, which was symbolised and embodied by Prime Minister Thompson both through his long standing friendship with Prime Minister Stephenson King and his marital bond with his wife Mara who is a native of Saint Lucia,” the government said in a statement.
It said that news of the death of Thompson, 48, had been received here “with a deep sense of loss by all St. Lucians”.
“The thoughts and prayers of all St Lucians will remain with Barbadians during this moment of grief.”
Both Prime Ministers Thompson and King emerged through the regional youth movement to become leaders of their respective nations within six months of each other in 2008.
“We in St Lucia extend our prayers and sympathy as Barbados and the Caribbean mourn the loss of an outstanding son of the nation and the region,” said King, adding ““I have worked with Prime Minister Thompson over the past few years, and have always been impressed with his commitment to improving the quality of living of all Barbadians and the people of the Caribbean.
“It is the kind of commitment that all leaders should try to emulate,” he noted.
Thompson, who became the sixth prime minister after he led his Democratic Labour Party (DLP) to victory in 2008, is the third head of government to die in office following prime ministers Tom Adams in 1985 and Errol Barrow two years later. (CMC)